Chapter 16
"I'm afraid that'll be a little difficult now." Bill revealed. "You see, the town has put out an announcement a few days ago. They're forming a new militia under the Town Lord's banner to help support the guards. We received orders from the boss to stop booking fights for higher rank fighters."
Bill shrugged. "That means that the arena won't be welcoming any rank 4 and up fighters anytime soon."
Alden frowned.
"So, there's no way for me to progress?"
"Yes and no." Bill said. "If you're purely after rank 4, then there's nothing I can do about that. But last I checked, you were still a rank 3. If you're simply looking for a challenge, then perhaps I can hook you up to some handicap matches?"
Alden thought it over, then shook his head. The Scourge's wanted Alden to prove himself. And fighting some rank 3 in the arena might show some skills. But if he kept fighting against the same old opponents, there would come a point where he wouldn't be able to display his growth anymore. His time was better spent somewhere else.
It was better to find the old man and try to strike another deal.
"Thanks for the help, Bill. But I guess this is it for now." Alden nodded gratefully to the man, then turned to leave. As he closed the door behind him, Billy let out a quiet sigh.
"I guess he's not hunting silvers anymore…"
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Back at the Thornevale estate, Alden relayed the news to Renna.
"No more rank 4 fights," she repeated, arms crossed.
"That's what he said."
Her brow furrowed. "That puts a hole through our plan."
Alden nodded. He leaned against the window frame, watching faint sunlight filter through the courtyard trees. "I didn't expect the arena to ever close off its door to more fighters. But I guess there's a start for everything."
"It's probably related to what has been happening around the town. I've been told that the Town Lord is gearing up for some trouble." Renna sighed. "Still, the timing is bad."
"We could try to track down the Scourge. Maybe he'll offer another deal, seeing as the situation has changed." Alden proposed. But Renna didn't look so keen on the idea.
"We don't know where he lives. And he doesn't exactly make himself easy to find."
Alden arced up a curious eyebrow. "Can't we hire some people to help? I remember the Vein offers services like that."
Renna hesitated, then sighed. "It's worth a try. I have actually commissioned them to find him once. But back then, they returned empty handed. That man has some means to evade surveillance. And it's practically impossible to find him, unless he wants to be found."
"I see…"
Alden felt a little stumped. The crippled cultivator was a cautious man.
"I guess our only option is to join that new militia." Alden sighed. "Most fighters will be gathering there anyway. It'll be a good place to gain some experience, somewhere I could prove myself. And who knows? Maybe the Scourge will join too."
Renna looked at him for a long moment, weighting the idea. Then she nodded. "Let's do that. At the very least, it's worth checking out."
With the decision settled, the pair moved for the town hall. Along the way, they met more and more people who looked like fighters. Some bore scars, others weapons slung across their backs.
As they reached the heart of the town, they were met with quite an unusual sight.
A cluster of desks had been hauled into the square before the Town Hall, manned by clerks and officers with sharpened quills and brisk voices. Overhead, a heavy banner hung between the stone pillars, its bold letters catching the eye: Stonewatch.
The word was framed by a crest of walls and spears, painted in thick black strokes on a pale cloth. Beneath it, a line of men and women stretched across the steps. Fighters, mercenaries, and ragged swords-for-hire queued up to join.
Alden slowed, eyes flicking across the queue. "I didn't know the town had this many fighters."
Renna's gaze swept over the crowd. Scarred faces, battered armor patched with mismatched plates, weapons wrapped in worn leather. "Some of them must've come in from outside," she said quietly. "The wilds aren't kind to anyone. If they want to make a living, they'll take what's offered. And right now, aside from the arena, the new militia is one of the only ways to make some coins."
The queue moved in slow shuffles, clerks calling names and pushing forms across desks. The hum of voices carried a mix of impatience, ambition, and unease.
Renna didn't bother with it. She reached into her coat and drew out a small badge of polished steel, etched with the Thornevale's crest. She held it low at her side. Then she caught Alden's wrist and started forward, bypassing the line.
Murmurs stirred as they passed. A few men muttered curses under their breath. Someone shifted like they meant to speak out. But when eyes fell on the insignia, the words died.
Alden caught the brief flare of resentment in their eyes as they stepped aside. He leaned closer to Renna. "That thing is quite convenient, any chance you could get me one?"
Her lips twitched faintly. "That's quite the request you're making."
Alden eyed her curiously, but the girl didn't elaborate.
They reached the front desk, where a woman in neat robes straightened the moment she noticed the crest. Her practiced smile widened, voice smoothing into courtesy.
"Lady Thornevale, welcome. Are you here to inquire about the enlistment?"
Renna nodded, and the woman cleared her throat. She dipped her quill back into ink and gestured them closer. "You've come at a fine time. The Stonewatch is still in its first recruitment phase, but demand is high. The Town Lord himself authorized the formation."
Renna inclined her head slightly. "Can you tell us more about the organization? We're interested in joining."
"Of course." The clerk slid a parchment across the desk, the ink still smelling faintly fresh. "The Stonewatch is organized into three primary divisions."
Her finger tapped the first column. "The wardens. They serve within the city walls, helping with the regular guard, street patrols, watch posts, and peacekeeping. It's reliable work with a steady pay."
She moved to the next. "The hunters. They are dispatched outside the walls for scouting, beast suppression, caravan escorts, and general mercenary work. They face higher risks compared to the wardens, but they get a much higher pay."
Her finger landed on the last column. "The Cohort. Specialist detachments. These units are handpicked from proven fighters. Assignments vary from guarding key sites, striking against identified threats, or serving directly under the Lord's command. Advancement here can be very swift, but only the bests are admitted."
Alden studied the parchment. Neatly written promises of coin, food stipends, and housing allowances filled the lines beneath each division.
"And the requirements?" Renna asked.
"Basic proof of ability. References, if possible. Or a demonstration." The clerk's smile held. "Though in your case, Lady Thornevale, I'm sure we could smoothen the process."
Her gaze flicked toward Alden, weighing him quietly. "Along with you companion."
Renna didn't miss a beat. "Good. Where do we sign?"
The clerk beamed, scribbling something onto the ledger. "I'll escort you to a captain so you can be evaluated before being assigned to the division of your choice."
The clerk guided them past the desks and led them inside the town hall. Murmurs of voices and the scratching of quills faded behind them, replaced by the faint echo of boots on polished stone.
At the end of a hallway stood a tall pair of doors, half-open. Inside was a modest training chamber.
A young man leaned against the far wall with his arms crossed. He couldn't have been older than nineteen, though he carried himself with the air of someone already used to barking orders. His black hair was tied loosely, his uniform crisp but worn at the edges, and a thin chain with the Blackholt crest glinted at his neck.
The clerk cleared her throat politely. "Captain Blackholt. These two are here for enlistment under the Stonewatch. Lady Thornevale and her companion."
The captain's eyes flicked over Renna, narrowing slightly. Recognition flashed, followed by something colder. He pushed off the wall and gave the barest dip of his head. "Renna Thornevale. An honor." His tone carried just enough stiffness to make it clear the words cost him effort.
Ignoring his tone, Renna returned the nod. "Captain."
The clerk, oblivious to the undertone, continued briskly. "They've requested assignment. As per protocol, the gentleman will require evaluation. The lady, being an aspirant cultivator, is already exempt from the lower-tier trials." She handed him the parchment. "I'll leave the rest in your care."
With that, she excused herself, footsteps fading quickly down the hall.
The captain sighed, rolling his eyes skyward. "Wonderful. As if I don't have enough to do, now I get to play examiner." He glanced between them again, this time less guarded. "You know, some of us are trying to cultivate. Advance. Do something worthwhile with our time. And instead, I'm stuck babysitting recruits who'll probably die before their first rotation."
Alden stayed quiet, but his jaw tightened slightly.
The captain caught it and smirked faintly. "Don't take it personally. Orders are orders." He waved toward the practice floor. "The Stonewatch ranks are simple enough. Bronze for ordinary folk, anyone who can hold a sword without stabbing themselves. Silver for those who can sense Qi, channel it, or use talismans. And gold…" His tone held a trace of envy. "…for cultivators who've already formed a core."
Renna tilted her chin slightly. "And the command posts?"
"Captain for squad leaders. Commander for those who oversee divisions. Beyond that, you'd answer directly to the Lord or his chosen."
The captain paused for a moment longer, then clapped his hands. "Alright. Let's get this over with. Thornevale, you're already confirmed as a silver rank personnel. No need to waste our time."
He then turned his gaze toward Alden. "Your companion, however, needs to prove he's not dead weight."
He snapped his fingers, and a guard stepped forward from the corner, wearing padded gear and carrying a blunted spear. "You. Test him."
The guard gave a curt nod and took his place on the floor.
The captain gestured lazily. "Show me what you've got. If you can handle my man without embarrassing yourself, we'll call it bronze. I highly doubt you're silver material, but who knows?"
Alden stepped forward, rolling his shoulders. His eyes flicked to Renna briefly, then back to the captain. "Fine."
The captain folded his arms, leaning back against the railing with a bored expression. "Entertain me."
Alden walked to the weapon rack at the side. He eyed the assortment of blunted weapons then shook his head. He was more experienced in hand-to-hand fighting. A weapon, if not lethal, would be of little use to him.
He stepped into the center of the floor, empty-handed.
The guard frowned, lowering his spear into position. "No weapon?"
"I don't need one."
The captain snorted softly from the back. "Bold. Let's see if you can back it up."
The guard lunged first, spear tip snapping forward in a quick jab meant to test distance. Alden sidestepped cleanly, his body moving with practiced ease. The second thrust came harder, aiming for his chest. Alden slapped the shaft aside, stepped in, and drove a sharp elbow toward the man's jaw. The guard barely ducked in time, staggered back a pace.
"Not bad," the captain murmured, though his tone stayed flat.
The guard recovered quickly and swung the spear in a sweeping arc. Alden dipped low, rolled beneath it, and came up inside his opponent's guard. He slammed a palm into the man's chest, forcing the air from his lungs, then twisted the spear free with a sharp wrench. The weapon clattered across the floor.
In the same motion, Alden hooked the guard's leg and sent him sprawling flat on his back.
Silence lingered in the chamber.
Alden stepped back, letting the man scramble to his feet. His eyes slid to the captain. "Was that entertaining enough?"
The young man tilted his head, lips pursed. For a moment, he said nothing. Then, with a faint sigh, he reached into his coat and pulled out a small bronze badge stamped with the Stonewatch crest. He flicked it through the air, and Alden caught it easily.
"Bronze," the captain said. "Stronger than you look, I'll give you that."
He straightened his collar, as though the whole affair had been beneath him. "Name's Darius Blackholt, remember it."
Alden turned the badge over in his palm, then tucked it away.